Kaeo Sanchez returned the second-half kickoff 70 yards to give the Ripon Knights varsity a lead it would not relinquish in a 12-8 win over the Hilmar Packers in Trans-Valley Youth Football action.

Mason Durao (6 of 10 passing, 87 yards) hit Dax Beidleman (3 catches, 50 yards) with a 4-yard touchdown pass for the other Knights touchdown. Sanchez gained 55 yards on seven carries and Lucas Ruiz gained 47 yards on eight carries.

Biedleman made nine tackles, Ryder Shelton and Joshue Gonzalez seven apiece and Sanchez six. Gavin Decena sealed the game with an interception.

Junior varsity

Knights 40, Packers 0
Ripon’s Max Abrew threw for three touchdowns and ran for another.

Max Abrew (four of five passing, 96 yards) hit Xavier Powell (four receptions, 96 yards; 12 carries, 109 yards) with those three touchdown passes and Powell also ran for a touchdown. Jax Booth added 52 yards on two carries with Kevin Torres, Gus Clark and Ryder Huevel also contributing on offense.

Drew Walker led the Knights defense with 13 tackles. Booth added 10 stops, Jacob Ramirez and Zander Rivera (interception) seven apiece and Xavier Powell four. Deegan Vrieling, Logan Howard, Jessy Vega, Dane Nemeth, and Luke Venemen all contributed on defense.

Novice

Knights 34, Packers 6

Tyce Sanchez threw for two touchdowns to lead a balanced Ripon attack.

Sanchez (2 for 5 passing, 113 yards) had touchdown throws of 79 yards to Tyce Thompson and 34 yards to Ryker Christensen (43 yards rushing). Thompson also returned a kickoff 86 yards for a touchdown, Keagan Heuvel scored from a yard out and Max Neto ran for a 52-yard touchdown.

The Knights defense was balanced as well with 19 players recording tackles. George Bogetti made 12 tackles and a fumble recovery with Neto (two forced fumbles) and Heuvel getting five stops apiece.

Junior novice

Knights 39, Packers 0

Ripon’s Nikolai Gorbunoff scored all three times he touched the ball.

Gorbunoff picked up 95 yards on those three carries. Mearl Thompson, Lucas Durao and Chase Johnson added one touchdown apiece.

Durao (fumble recovery) led the Knights defense with 10 tackles. Micah Rodriguez added seven stops, Jaxson Quilangtang (fumble recovery) and Johnson six apiece and Colton Avant (forced fumble) five. Dylan Breakfield recovered a fumble.

MOTHERLODE-VALLEY

Ripon Chiefs 58, Hughson Jr. Huskies 0

Xabriel Reyes scored three touchdowns for Ripon.

Reyes posted touchdown runs of 21 and 56 yards along with a 64-yard punt return. Matthew Gaines added a 44-yard punt return for a touchdown and Darius Fitzpatrick returned a fumble 25 yards for a touchdown. Kael Rangel scored on a 41-yard touchdown run, Ace Dougherty scored from 25 yards out and Anthony Alves capped the day’s scoring with a 3-yard scoring plunge.

Jaden Becerra and Gilbert Luiz made four tackles each for the Knights. Fitzpatrick added an interception and Nate Slikker contributed to the defensive effort.